(TC) "Anyone who suggests a date for Christ’s return is a false teacher. That we know for sure."
How in the world does one come to the conclusion that recognizing the "signs" of the times is suggesting a date for Christ's return is beyond me. Geezz..
Let's look at Scripture.
1 Peter 1:10,11
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. (emphasis mine)
We see clearly in Scripture that the prophets of old inquired and searched out what manner of time the Spirit of Christ was indicating when He testified of things to come! We have the example of these prophets that we are to seek out the season the Spirit is speaking about regarding the last days. Let's read the words of Paul.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-4
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. (emphasis mine)
We are not in darkness, the Day of the LORD is not to overtake us as a thief. This is because we are AWARE of the times and seasons the Spirit speaks of through the Word of the LORD.
Yah'shua went through great lengths to educate His disciples of the times and seasons, and to prepare them. To disregard the Scriptures and the words of our Savior is horrific and utter folly.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Shalom
INDEED.
The individual in question has already established a date for Christ’s return. Just look as his FR page. 2012 is the date. The 3 1/2 year countdown has already started.
Smells like date setting to me.
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt. 24:44)
That "conclusion" is simply a mechanism used by those who deny that the entire Word of God is inerrant and factual, including and especially the book of Thessalonians since the description God gave of the Rapture is in that Book, and is merely a tool to attempt to discredit those of us who accept and believe every word of Scripture, including the promises made by Christ to remove His Church before He judges a wicked world.
It sinks like a lead balloon of course since nobody who believes what Christ says about the Rapture sets dates for that event.
Those who accuse others of date setting based on our belief in what Christ commanded us to do - look for and recognize the signs He gave for His return - are the same people who discard most of the Bible, since approximately two-thirds of Scripture is prophecy- and therefore have exactly zero credibility in these discussions and are not to be taken seriously whatsoever.
I do not think the message delivered here is intended to imbue anyone with the idea that they will somehow know when the Day of the Lord is upon us. I think it is more of a call to Christians to live their lives at all times as if it can happen right NOW (because it can).
In my opinion, people show disregard for the Scriptures when they claim to unequivocally know that we are definitely in the “end times” - when they declare that they know exactly how the word of God is to be interpreted - and when they devote substantial time, energy and talent to arguing with and admonishing others over relatively minor differences in interpretations of the Bible. It seems to me that all that time, talent and energy would be better spent in trying to live one's own life, and where possible helping others live their lives, in accordance with the instruction Jesus Christ gave us regarding how to treat our fellow man.
I know I am personally no where near where I need to be in that regard and I suspect that anyone who claims to be is deluding themselves.